Young investigator exchange program
Following successful rounds since the restart from the year 2023-2024, we are now launching the junior exchange program (Young Investigator Exchange Program - YIEP) between AEPC and the Japanese Society of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery (JSPCCS) for 2026-2027!
AEPC and JSPCCS have created this exchange program to promote international collaboration and to provide an opportunity to support the careers of our junior members.
AEPC Junior members in good standing can apply for this exchange program, a visit to a paediatric cardiology institute in Japan for a training period of at least 4 weeks between October 2026 and September 2027. The counter program from JSPCCS will provide an opportunity for three fellows from Japan to visit European institutes during the same period.
To be eligible for the exchange program you need to be an AEPC junior member for at least one year, and your membership has to be in good standing.
If you meet the above criteria, you may submit the application form through the button below, which includes a letter of intent with your main scientific/clinical interests, a short CV, and a signed letter of support from your supervisor allowing you to visit Japan for (at least) 4 weeks.
The deadline to apply for the junior exchange program is 1 September 2026.
All applications will be reviewed by the AEPC Scientific Secretary. Up to three winners will be selected. Applicants are expected to be informed on the outcome by the end of September 2026.
Following selection, each winner will be appointed to a host institute in Japan. Know that we always try to match the winners with a host institute matching their area of interest. The winners can then plan the best time slot for the visit to Japan in consultation with their host institute.
AEPC will reimburse an economy ticket to Japan and provide EUR 1,000 euro pocket money to support in costs for accommodation and daily expenses. You will have to pay your ticket in advance and get reimbursed. The host institute can provide support in finding affordable accommodation for the stay.
Do not miss the opportunity to take part in this program and apply!
Winners 2025-2026
We congratulate the winners and look forward to hearing more about their stay in Japan!
- Oung Savly (Cambodia) → Nagano Children’s Hospital, Nagano, Azumino city (visit scheduled for June-July 2026)
- Julian Hochpöchler (Austria) → Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, 840 Murodocho Izumi Osaka, Japan (visit scheduled for September 2026)
- Sara Moscatelli (UK) → Osaka City General Hospital, 2-13-22 Miyakojimahondori, Miyakojima, Osaka (visit scheduled for September 2026)
Previous winners
2024-2025
- Catarina Almeida (Portugal) → Department of Cardiology, Nagano Children’s Hospital, Nagano - Read the report >
- Michal Jicinsky (Czech Republic) → Department of Cardiology, Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center, Yokohama
- Lacramioara-Eliza Chiperi (Romania) → Division of Cardiology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo
2023-2024
- Domenico Sirico (Padua University Hospital, Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Padua, Italy) → Shizuoka Children’s Hospital, Shizuoka Prefecture - Read the report >
- Ivana Cerovic (Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia "Dr Vukan Cupic" Department of Cardiology, Belgrade, Serbia) → Kanagawa Children’s Medical Center, Kanagawa Prefecture - Read the report >
- Cezary Niszczota (University Clinical Center, Department of Paediatric Cardiology and General Paediatrics, Warsaw, Poland) → Nagano Children’s Hospital, Nagano Prefecture - Read the report >